Race starting apparatus



Feb. 8, 1944. s. v. OGDEN RACE STARTING APPARATUS Filed May 21 1941 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE RACE STARTING APPARATUS Benjamin V. Ogden, Wynnewood, Pa.

Application May.21, 1941, Serial No. 394,483

1 Claim.

lhe present invention relates to racing apparatus generally and is particularly concerned with a starting device for races in which human beings participate.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simplified device which prevents the human runners from stealing or beating the gun. In a short intensive dash or sprint there is in some individuals, in whom the competitive spirit and the will to win are acutely developed, an irresistible tendency to start prior to the precise ofiicial time. My device is designed to restrict all of the competitive runners to starting under exactly the same and equal conditions.

Another object of my invention is not only to provide for an equality of starting conditions, but also to enable the respective runners to avail themselves of whatever advantages inhere in their reaction or response rates. In other words-to borrow from the colorful language of the world of sportsan individual who is quick on the trigger or who is swiftly responsive to a stimulus can still benefit by his natural physiological advantage by getting under way at once without marring his start with an illegal anticipation of the gun.

A further object of my invention is to provide a training device by means of which a runner can be taught the best conditions for starting a race. Among these, are the acquired ability to maintain his balance, the mental poise requisite to waiting for the sound of the gun and the determined resolution to react immediately after the gun has been fired.

Another outstanding object of my device is to eliminate the not infrequent false starts that mar many important races not only by sparing the runners a dissolution of their attitude and poise and securing to them a conservation of their explosive energy needlessly dissipated in repeated starts, but by mitigating the nuisane factor of inactive and disappointing waiting suffered by the expectant spectators.

Other novel advantages and applications of my invention will manifest themselves in the detailed description of the several embodiments of my device and in the definite claims that will be set forth subsequently.

As previously premised, special means for the aforesaid purposes have been devised and combined with known instrumentalities, all of which will be described in detail on reference to the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of the device employing webbed belts.

Figure 2 is a side View of the device in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a part of the device in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of Fig. 6.

Figure 5a is an enlarged elevational view of the notched cross bar.

Figure 5b is an enlarged elevational view of the cut-out horizontal member.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the starting leVer mechanism coupled with the gun.

The apparatus consists essentially of a rectangular frame I in Figure 1, fabricated of metal or other suitable material. The lower horizontal member 2 is mounted flush with the ground. The spikes 3 are inserted in the ground for the purpose of anchoring the apparatus securely. The inclined members 4 are attached to the ground members 5 which in turn are joined to the member 2 and are positioned in front of the runner for the purpose of greater stability and fixed anchorage when he exerts pressure against the rectangular frame I at the start of the race.

The upper member 6 of the frame I consists of -a metal pipe, tubing or a channel in which fits freely the rod 1. The member 6 is rigidly attached to the upright members 8 of the frame I. Near the central section of the member 6 are the cutout areas 9 (shown in the enlarged view Figure 5a.) spaced from each other a distance somewhat less than the breadth of an average pair of shoulders. C'oinciding with these cut-out areas 9 in the member 6 are looped cut-out sections II] in the rod 1, as shown in I of the enlarged view 517. Into the cut-out loops l0, rings (not shown) at the ends of flexible chains or cords l l are hooked freely and are locked against falling when the rod 1 has been inserted into the member 6. But when the rod 1 is moved to the right in Fig. 1, then the rings are easily disengaged from the loops Ill. The flexible chains H are attached to the webbed belts l2 which are further attached at their distal ends to the lower member 2. belts l2 are also attached at their upper end to elastic cables I3 that extend obliquely downward and are joined with the inclined members 4 at the lower and frontal end of the device (at l5).

Mounted on one of the upright members 8 is a pistol IS, the trigger I! of which is attached to a cord I8 that is tied securely to th end of the rod 1. In other words, the pistol l6 and the rod 1 are coupled for synchronous action. The lever mechanism I8 is conventional in its design and action. When moved inwardly it actuates the The rod 1 in an outward movement, causing simultaneously the pistol IE to fire and the rings to become disengaged from the looped cut-out areas 9.

From the foregoing description of the structural details, an understanding of the method of employing the device at races becomes obvious. The runners assume their starting positions behind the straps l2, and at the command get set lean against the straps with any pressure they desire. The head is thrust well forward between the straps. For this starting procedure the runners may line up behind separate units which can be operated by one starting lever or preferably are arrayed behind a plurality of units that are assembled in to a large frame. A pull of the lever I8 induces the pistol l6 to fire and the belts to become unleashed from the rod 1. The elastic tension cables [3 draw the belts rapidly to the ground and the runners start their dash or race simultaneously without any opportunity consciously or subconsciously to "beat the gun. The action of all parts of the starting device is so Well coordinated and timed that no hazard whatever develops to impede th form and the speed of the runner.

Although the aforedescribed device represents the preferred embodiment of my invention, yet it is to be construed as only illustrative and not restrictive of the spirit and scope of my invention which is further defined in terms of the annexed claim.

I claim:

A starting barrier for human racers comprising a housing frame adapted to be mounted securely in the ground, said frame having ground members, oblique members and one upper member, a pair of belts hanging pendantly from the P upper member of said frame, a rod adapted to move within said upper member, a pair of elastic cables attached at their upper ends to said belts and at their frontal and lower ends to said oblique members of said frame, said rod coupled with a lever and a gun adapted to let said belts fall when said gun is fired simultaneously with a movement of said lever.

BENJAMIN V. OGDEN. 

